Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I have thought today so much about this bond...that has soooo many different facets to it that I'm not even sure what to call it really. The bond of all of us on this site and the immediate, split second connection that we can feel with one another just because we share a common love...our dog. The instant sadness and heart in the stomach feeling that I can have when I learn of Buster having mets and of Jack, our new friend...the tears flow so easily as if it were me finding out that Zeus has mets. The gut wrenching sobs that came when I learned that Jerry crossed the bridge - so much that I had to leave work that day. Is this strange? maybe...to some, probably to a lot of people actually...but I honestly wouldn't trade these feelings for the world because I feel the most human and in tune with the unverse and all its beautiful things when I'm feeling. I spent a lot of years not feeling and though it's painful at times, I also get the good feelings too...all because of "a dog".
But are they really JUST dogs? LOL...no...as we can all relate to on this site. They are our family, our roomates and sometimes the bed hogs, our reason to live sometimes, our heroes that walk strong for us, our source of pure and unconditional love, the best listeners that we ever knew and yes...our soulmates. It's a bond that goes beyond words, that gives me the chills when I look into Zeus' eyes and he returns that look with such wisdom and knowing...I literally forget that he is a dog.
My love, my partner Chuck was just recently diagnosed with cancer too...we just moved in together after 4 years of dating in September...and wow - everything was just perfect - then the diagnosis, 6 weeks later. Things came crashing down a bit. The prognosis is good and we have received 3 opinions and have settled on surgery in January at Johns Hopkins in Maryland. I feel very positive that everything will be OK...it's the only way that I can get through this is to say positive...like Zeus has taught me. My point in sharing this with you is to share another bond...the one that is growing between Zeus and Chuck - my cancer survivors. It's amazing to watch. Chuck who was a little concerned about adjusting to flying fur on a daily basis, scratches on his perfect wood floors (we bought lots of runners!) and toys all around now finds himself snuggling with Zeus on the couch and not so worried about the lived in look of his "perfect" home. It's a little hard to explain in a short forum, but suffice it to say that he has always loved my boys...took them everywhere with us on weekends and walked them all the time...but he went home to his neat and fur free house during the week. Not so much anymore!
I was taking a nap one day in a guest bedroom (the one rule that Chuck hasn't given on is letting them sleep in the bed with us). After 5 minutes, I felt eyes on me and I opened my eyes to find Zeus standing above me on the bed to see if I was asleep or not...then he starts snorting at me - something he does when he wants something - so I looked at him and said, "go on...go by daddy" who was watching a football game downstairs and I'll be damned if Zeus didn't jump off the bed and go by his daddy. This was the weekend after we received Chuck's diagnosis. This may sound like a simple thing, but Zeus LOVES 'his' bed (the one we slept in at my house) and especially taking naps with mommy in 'his' bed...but not then, he wanted to be by dad. That was priceless to me and a shining example of the incredible bond that dogs can form with us and the love and support that they know how to give...when they know we need it. They are truly one of life's greatest teachers.
I know this was long - I have a ton of emotions going on today and I hope I was able to convey my one main point...that we are so blessed to have experienced this incredible bond...this incredible love even when sometimes it's too painful to bear.
All our love,
Heather and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Wow ... we are simply speachless. You have no idea how much this post means to us. Thanks so much for sharing.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Heather & Zeus,
Your partner, Chuck is so lucky to have you! So is Zeus! I pray we find a cure .
Love,
Kim&Buster
Kim & Angel Buster
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
–Anatole France
Thanks so much for that post Heather. Though I've only had Jack for 4 short years I would not trade that time to avoid this pain. I'm a better person for having him in my life - he has taught me so much. I am blessed that we found each other. And though our journey together may be coming to an end - the lessons he taught me will never leave.
I love what you wrote Heather!!! It very much touched me because of a few similarities we have and because you just know how to put things so eloquently in words.
Your "new" family is truly blessed to have one another. That special bond between us and our fur babies is just something that is difficult to explain because it is so powerful. I have different kinds of bonds with my two furry companions- Jake and Poochie Smoochie- Smooch is a senior dog who I adopted from my mom in South Carolina (I live in upstate NY) three years ago when she passed away from cancer. He's a scrappy fellow and has had a tough life with my mom as well as with about 3 other owners who have become ill and have died. I have had several incredibly awesome spiritual experiences with Smooch since I have had him and I don't doubt for a second that my mom is behind it and communicating to me that all of these unexplainable spiritual happenings we use to talk about in the wee hours of the morning exist and if we are open to them and believe in them, we will experience them. I have also had a couple of "witnesses" with me when these things happen but I can also tell that they have been especially chosen by my mom because these friends are simply extraordinary people. These happenings that I keep on mentioning are when Smooch "morphs" into spirits such as my mom's and we can see her eyes (specific color) or when he "morphed" into my dear friend's wonderful chocolate lab who had to be put down because of an illness. There is no mistake when he does this because he doesn't look like himself! I know I saw Jerry eyes in Jake's the day I was asked to visit Jake in the hospital on Oct. 17th after his Oct. 14th amp surgery and he was losing an extraordinary amount of blood and his blood wasn't clotting. I found my myself praying to Jerry (don't know why but I did... found it comforting and a huge source of strength) and low and behold I see his eyes in Jake's! I of course thought that perhaps Jerry was guiding Jake up to the Bridge but then I realized that he was helping Jake during a time when I couldn't be there with him. I KNOW what I saw and I believe that spirits like Jerry and my mom will help when you ask them... ultimately it is God who is helping of course but we are all a part of God.
Like Chuck, my boyfriend John also has been struggling with cancer (bladder) for about 7 years. His cancer is "in check" right now so we are thankful of course but it has been a rocky road. It seems as though Jake and John have this unspoken bond together because of their cancers as well and it is pretty heartfelt. You mentioned that Zeus is extra loving and cuddly with Chuck (Dad) knowing that he needs the extra love and energy. He truly is a beautiful and healing soul, isn't he? Jake isn't very cuddly (never has been since he's been a puppy) but he shows his love for John and I in other ways. He lights up when John comes over to the house and smiles and laughs with him as he falls all over himself to get at John and John of course does the same thing to get to him! Jake doesn't really like men too much but has always loved John being around ever since he has known John (been since Jake was almost 2 years old). John has a Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Otis who is 4 years old and is the biggest, cuddliest and most gentle soul (which I think has been so healing for John). However, John always makes sure he has his "special time" with Jake on Jake's bed every time he comes over. Jake is at the point where he looks at me like - "mom, will you two just get married and make this permanent so I don't have to worry about you anymore?!". And of course he would be right. 
They are wise souls and I couldn't imagine my life without them.
Luv Spirit Jake, Smooch, Baby Gus & Mom (Sherri)
Thank you Sherri for sharing...I had chills reading your story - I am a strong believer in the spirit world. I have had some similar experiences - though I haven't witnessed any morphing, but I don't doubt it for one second. Jerry Dawg is amazing isn't he? He is a powerful force...I was outside one day with my boys letting them have a pee break...working from home and Zeus wasn't himself for a few days and I was worried...I stood outside with Zeus and Buddy talking to Jerry...asking him to help Zeus...it was like 5 minutes or so, then this big buck just walked across our front yard...just walking, no pack, just him...the dogs just stood there watching him and I was full of tears as this buck looked at me and walked on by. I KNOW it was Jerry letting me know he heard me. These gifts are priceless...literally.
I'm glad to hear that John's cancer is in check - I'm glad he has soooo much healing power around him - your home must be an amazing place of positive and healing energy. What never ceases to amaze me when I open up to people is that 9 times out of 10, that person will have had a similiar experience and the stories that are shared are such gifts of love, faith, support and friendship.
I love Jake's thought about you 2 getting married...we get that a lot too from my niece and nephews (and from Zeus), but I guess each of us going through a divorce that was painful makes us both a bit shy of it - but it's crazy because I know we're together forever...one day, when the time is right we will know it.
Many hugs and a special smooch to Smooch and Jake too
xo
Heather
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Zeus said:
…I stood outside with Zeus and Buddy talking to Jerry…asking him to help Zeus…it was like 5 minutes or so, then this big buck just walked across our front yard…
Stories like this never cease to amaze my people, it truly touches them deeply.
While staying on the ranch, I would bark at the deer that showed up every evening. They would ignore me, so I would simply sit at the screen door, watching them graze.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am absolutely speechless reading all the posts in this thread. I can't think of anyting I could add to more articulately express these emotions we all share for our "dogs" and the unbreakable bond they have with their 2-leggeds.
Heather, Chuck & Zeus: We'll be sending our prayers and good thoughts your way that his surgery is successful; plus, thank you so much for starting this thought-provoking thread.
Sherri, John, Jake & Smooch: We are, also, sending pawsitive thoughts and prayers that John's bladder cancer will stay in remission.
Kim & Buster: I wish we would find a cure for cancer very soon, as well.
Kristen & Jack: To quote you, "Though I’ve only had Jack for 4 short years I would not trade that time to avoid this pain. I’m a better person for having him in my life - he has taught me so much. I am blessed that we found each other. And though our journey together may be coming to an end - the lessons he taught me will never leave."
And, from me: I had lung cancery surgery on August 24, 2007 and they think they got it all, but it seems like the bond I had with my little dog, Blazer, just got so much stronger once I came home from the hospital eight days later. Dogs are amazingly sensitive beings and it really bothers me when some people underestimate what they can do for humans, if only they would just listen.
Love, Vicki, Blazer & Kitty Kimber
Those darn gremlins! I tried to reply with a lengthy post last night and it poof - just disappeared into cyberspace! Grrrr... as our canine buddies would say!
So, I will try to summarize what I wrote last night... I also had chills Heather when I read about Jerry and the buck in your backyard! Very cool that Jerry always found deer intriguing as well! What kind of cancer does Chuck have? Please keep us posted as to how he is doing okay? By the way, we have the same feeling about marriage- we love eachother and know now that we'll be together forever so when it happens, it happens, right?! 
As far as keeping positive in the energy in the house- it really helps when you have 3 furry clowns running around the house! I say 3 (when John is here, he brings Otis with him). They certainly make us laugh with their silliness and it seems to be when it is most needed! More gifts from above...
Vicki, how are you doing now??? I'm sure your personal experience in this certainly contributes to how incredibly compassionate you always are to others here on this forum. Thank you so much for being so incredibly supportive to all of us! I think Blazer was sent here as your little angel. I know what you mean about feeling like people just don't understand the depth of our relationships with our fur babies. Rather than trying to get them to understand, I don't even waste my energy on them anymore and then I just feel sorry for them because they'll never know how much joy they will be missing in their lives without that unbelievable and amazing gift from above... unconditional love with a dog.
Luv Spirit Jake, Smooch, Baby Gus & Mom (Sherri)
Awww, Sheri & Jake, John & Otis,
Gee, now I'm blushing. It sure feels good to be appreciated and I do try very hard to be here for everyone whether they have great successes, or they're down in the dumps over bad news they have received from their vets', or they're suddenly noticing odd symptoms that scare them. I know I may not have as much experience with all this as you guys do, but I have been trying to read as many articles and books as I can so I can provide halfway intelligent answers, as well as being caring and warm. Blazer was definitely sent her as my little angel because I'm not sure where I'd be right now without him. He's the most amazing little dog I have ever known and he's very, very smart. I bend over backwards to spoil him because I feel he spoils me just as much. I love both of my rescued kids, Blazer & my kitty, Kimber. They give me so much in life and even though I do live alone and made the conscious decision that I would probably never find anyone I would be able to mesh wish, I have literally devoted my life to dogs (mostly) and kitties.
When I found tripawds.com it took me a long time to venture out and decide that perhaps I DID have something to offer people, even though I did not have a tripawd, I have had dogs who have died of cancer and known many more who have succumbed to the disease. I've always had a huge interest in all things medical and that's why I'm able to pick up on the terminologies and I,also, have a pretty good handle on anatomy. If there's something I don't know, then I try to learn about it so I can offer help and solace in a half-way intelligent fashion. It just means to world to me to be able to support everyone on tripawds.com and your comment has sure made my day. Sometimes I'll go along and I wonder if I'm any help at all and then here you come and Heather (Zeu's Mom) the other day also gave me kudos, but she did it after I told her how great I thought she was, so I wasn't sure if she was just being nice. Gee, I hope not. (I have problems with my self-esteem, obviously). This site means so much to me and I hope I will be around here for a long time to come with the goal of trying to help people and just let them know that I am here for them if they need me.
Thank you so much for your kind comments; I'll try to live up to them every time I post here on this site.
Love, Blazer, Kitty Kimber & Mom (Vicki)
Hi Sherri - Chuck's cancer is prostate cancer, so they will be removing the prostate on January 26th and though I'm sure it will be a trying month, Zeus has sure given me some practice on patience (another lesson from my baby) Thank you for your thoughts...the prognosis is good and knowing Chuck - he'll bounce right back from this!
Vicki - I hear you about self-esteem issues, I would be surprised if anyone would ever tell me that they have never had them - I sure have, especially after my divorce in 2000. I went into therapy (for 7 years!!!) and it really, really helped - I built up a self esteem that is usually pretty good, but it took a LOT of work and a ton of persistence on my end (Zeus was my constant during this tough time). I would never say anything that I don't mean...i would have simply said, "Thank you for your thoughts and kind words" and left it at that...I think it is incredible that you are soooo active here and despite the fact that you don't "have" a tripawd, you have so much information and experience to share and MOST importantly, you can share in the LOVE FOR OUR BABIES and you don't have to be a tripawd parent to do that.
I truly cherish you being here and all your loving words and support and I'm certain that I don't speak alone. There should really be more people in the world like you that help JUST BECAUSE THEY WANT TO HELP. Don't sell yourself short Vicki -
Love always,
Heather
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Hi Heather, I hope Chuck's cancer surgery goes really well on January 26th and I'm glad the prognosis is good.
Thank you, also, for your very kind words about my contributions to tripawds. I really do try very hard to be supportive and I appreciate your sharing with me that you had problems with self-esteem, too. My therapist is somewhat baffled why I suffer from this so, but it really does have a lot to do with my chronic depression, which I explained to you in an email what they are trying to do to help me break the cycle. Your email and this message mean so much to me and Sherri, too. I feel I need to come here because I really do have so much I want to share; especially to people who are scared or worried and, also, to those who need applause for their dog's doing so well after surgery, ampuversaries and the like. I don't know what I would do without my two greatest companions, Blazer & Kitty Kimber and the people on tripawds.com. This feels like home to me and I sincerely want to be here to help in any way I can. Thank you for taking the time to let me know that I am helpful on this site. I promise that I will continue to provide solace for as long as I am able. That's how important everyone here is to me.
Love, Vicki, Blazer & Kitty Kimber
I love all of my friends here on Tripawds.com and feel especially appreciative right now during this time of year because I feel this place is the best "gift" I could ever receive this year!!! Without the advice, support and encouragement from you all, I don't think I could have the strength and positive attitude day after day to fight this ugly terrible disease called osteosarcoma (it even sounds ugly to me!) with Jake. Our fur babies are as innocent as they come (even when they are acting like horn dogs like Buster! ) and they certainly don't deserve to go through what cancer puts their poor beautiful bodies through!
So thanks everyone for your wonderful friendship and your amazing support... especially those of you (Jerry, Heather, Vicki and Kim) who seem to ALWAYS be there for us no matter what the news is!
Luv Spirit Jake, Smooch, Baby Gus & Mom (Sherri)
We love you, too, Sherri, and you are right, "Sometimes the best way to "get through" something difficult in your own life is to help others…" These are my sentiments exactly. Everyone of us, on tripawds.com, who have bonded together to help each other makes this one of the greatest website's on earth. Osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, mast cell tumors, etc., they're all very ugly sounding words for even worse diseases that rob us of our beloved fur-babies and the people we love. When they told me I had adenocarcinoma in my right lung, I wasn't really shocked as I was halfway expecting it. Cancer runs in my family and it will continue to maim and kill our dogs and kitties and loved ones until they find a cure. This is another reason I support Luke Robinson and his two Great Pyrenees on their walk from Austin to Boston in hopes they can get the funding to support an epidemiological study at the Morris Foundation at CSU to find the "causes" of cancer.
Love, Vicki, Blazer & Kitty Kimber
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